How to bit a young Horse?

K

kate89

Active Member
Joined
24 July 2008
Messages
31
Location
ESSEX!
Visit site
Hi everyone need some advice, Was thinking about how to go about biting my 3 year old gelding, I’m not sure what bit to use and how to go about introducing it to him, I want to do things slowly as I wish to imprint a positive image. I was wondering what you guys would do... and what the overall best bit to use? Obviously it depends to some extent on the horses temperament and mouth conformation... but generally...
What do you use and how do you introduce it? Thanks in advance
 
For the bitting process but no the riding i used a loose ring happy mouth, for serveral days i placed it on it's own in his mouth, then a couple of days later i put it on a head piece with cheeks but no brow band, attached in one side then put the other side over and did it up slowly.

Few days of that and he let me put it on the conventional way. He was heady so that is why we took the bridle apart to start with also stops you pulling on the bit while putting the bridle on until they are used to it, then we lead round off the headcollar.
 
small mouth - happy mouth (with raised printed side away from inside of lips)
bigger mouth - rubber snaffle.
i put it on, looseish, on noseband-less and rein-less bridle, not hanging in teeth but not giving a smile either, and leave it on with headcollar over the top for about half an hour while i give horse a good groom etc. they usually gag on it for a while but soon get used to it ime.
 
I bitted my mare in a Happy Mouth, mainly because it was during the time it was bloody freezing and I thought a Happy Mouth would at least be a bit warmer for her!

Once it came to riding her, she wasn't so keen and is now in a NS Team Up bit, which has made a huge difference to her Gobby Ladyship! :D
 
when I bitted my filly nearly 4 years ago I used a rubber snaffle, I used the rubber snaffle for ages even after I'd backed her until I introduced canter & gallops along the beach when I started using a jointed snaffle instead for a little bit more control!!! :)

Today I bitted my new pony for the first time, he's a four year old colt and a bit full of himself so as I plan to back him over the summer I thought it would be a case of the sooner the better! I used a jointed snaffle but it was freezing today so I warmed it up under the tap first!!! and then just put the whole bridle on but left the noseband undone so that he was free to chew and generally get used to the feeling. Once I had the bridle on I gave him a quick groom so he had time to get used to it and relax. Then I led him around so he could get used to the feeling. By the end of the session I was able to do up the noseband and had him halting from pressure on the bit... clever boy!
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top